1st Ukraine Front - Insiders look at a Play Test

[Strela]

Soviet Turn

The sun has set and both sides have to decide whether to rest or push on. The Russians with a small penetration have to rescue their isolated comrades and see if they can widen the breakthrough zone. 5th GTC is also through the bunker line and looking to match 5th MC's success.





The first successful assault reopens communications to the lead Bn's, though at a high cost.





The second assault overruns the hapless Marders wiping them out to a vehicle. 4 Marders are no match for 530 men with grenade bundles. The desperate German defensive move is a minor irritant. An artillery column is found and destroyed by a combination of direct and indirect fire.





In 5th GTC sector a further bunker is taken and it looks like the bunker line has been conclusively breached. Storming bunkers is not for the faint hearted, and the 3/1194 Rifle Regt loses 5% of its strength in this one combat.





After 5th GTC's successful assault, units push forward to Repki to find it defended. Attempts to take more of Motylevka fail, but with the bunker line breached it may be more opportune to flank the town than assault it directly.

5th MC fail to widen the 'neck' of the penetration south of Pavlovka, severly hampering follow on units. With all units back in communication, heavier firepower can be bought to bear next turn.





27th Army continues to probe both south and south east. German rearguards are being encountered but are quickly disrupted. 233rd Tank Bde is just a little too far north this turn and can not take advantage of the poor state of the German defences but moves forward to be in position for the next opportunity. Maybe a concerted armored thrust will be enough to break the line. Next turn will tell....



German Turn 8

The Russians are both through the line and bottled up. Their penetration is on a narrow axis and if the flanks can hold just a little longer.....  The desperate tactic with the Marder company was ultimately futile, but hopefully will help to contain the Russian thrust.





The Soviet drive south east of Vinograd is the most immediate threat. Essentially the Russians have broken through and it is only dogged defense around Pavlovka that is constraining 5th MC. StuG Abt 239 is the only unit available to plug the hole and its 8 STuG's should be able to delay the infantry but will be in serious trouble if Russian tanks appear. The forces east of the Pavlovka penetration are too light to push the Russians back and will have to hold in place.

The Germans will soon have to decide when to abandon both Pavlovka and Motylevka as their flanks are close to collapse. Three infantry regiments of 34th Infantry Division are in these towns and they will be needed in the days ahead. With most units on foot it will be a very delicate operation....

At Repki, the sudden appearance of T34's with tank riders is blocked by the resident engineer company. A push in strength in this direction by Russian forces could tip the balance in this area.





88th Infantry rearguards continue to be heavily engaged  and fortunately 3 units rally up. 198th Infantry starts a full disengagement south east. With a strong Russian armor force on their flank it is critical that the line be pulled back and Bn's consolidated. The G'niloy Tikich is a serious barrier for the 198th to escape out of the pocket. If they are not close enough to the bridges the Russians will be upon them and the path south blocked.

South of the river the 198th begins a staged pullback. The Soviet success at Motylevka will require a line east of Repki and the only units available are from 305th Infantry Regt and divisional level formations. With enemy tanks outside of Repki, haste will be needed to reinforce the town. It will be important for the 198th Infantry to match the retreat of 34th Infantry, else the Soviets exploit any mismatched moves.





And so the 26th of January ends. Infantry losses are roughly equivalent, which is bad for the Germans considering they had the benefit of bunkers for most of the day. German gun losses have mounted during the day reflecting the constant Soviet pressure moving forward. Guns have been abandoned or in the case of this turn overrun in travel mode. Armor losses are reflective of the aggressive use of the SU's by the Russians and the less than successful initial employment of the 233rd Tank Bde.


Turn 9 to follow....